Townsville City Council crews have made vital restorative changes to the Ross River riverbank at Bicentennial Park following damage from the 2019 monsoon event.
As part of the works, Council sloped the bank, reinstated the lower bank terrace, also known as a marine bench, and moved the walking path to help promote natural vegetation growth and bank stabilisation near the Hermit Park open space.
Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said the work carried out near Bicentennial Park was crucial to restoring, maintaining and building the resilience of the Ross River riverbanks.
“The work is also about limiting excess sediment runoff leaving riverbanks, going into the ocean and impacting the reef,” Cr Soars said.
“The $1 million project involved cutting into the riverbank’s top, addressing and controlling overland flows and creating a sloped design while also creating a lower bench for marine plants to be planted and establish overtime.
“The best form of long-term riverbank resilience and erosion control is through reinstating riparian buffers along riverbanks through native vegetation.
“Council is also planning to plant thousands of trees and grasses along the riverbank.”
The works are part of a $9.4 million riverbank restoration program jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Mayor Jenny Hill said this was the sixth of 13 riverbank erosions projects identified by Council.
“Council did a detailed investigation of Townsville’s waterways after the 2019 flooding event to determine the amount of riverbank erosion and its impact on people’s properties and business,” Cr Hill said.
“Council submitted a large range of projects for assessment and were awarded funding for 13 waterway restoration initiatives.
“Restoration works have been completed along the Upper Ross River, Bluewater Creek, Bohle River and Goondaloo Creek.
“Work will continue along the Ross River at Wes Barret Park, Sherriff Park and Archery Park, and along sections of Black River and Crystal Creek.”
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